Talon (The Astor Chronicles Book 1) (31 page)

‘We will continue in our mission to find aid,’
I replied steadily.
‘How fares Jaria?’

‘Our wounds are healed Talon, but the hearts of the grieving are still raw. We are wary in the fields and forest, but so far the Zeikas have not bothered us again. Some say it’s because the Zeikas think you are still among us, protecting us. Others say it is because you have left and the Zeikas are after you instead of us.’

I think there is more to this conflict than we yet know,’
I replied.
‘King Flale seemed very confident in his alliance with Reltland, but there was something the guards said about the Princess Denliyan. She’s involved in something, too.’

‘What was it?’
asked the ram.

‘That they were to send any representatives from the allied realms to her instead of the king,’
I replied.
‘What does Bessed make of that?’

Uola conferred with his Rada for a few minutes before turning his attention back to Rekala and I.
‘Bessed says that the only allies they could have been referring to are Reltland, Jesath and Jaria. He says the princess is heavily involved with the politics of Telby and may be dealing with the Zeikas behind her father’s back. He wants to know if you’ve seen her during your time in Telby.’

‘Nay,’
I replied,
‘and the guards said something about her being at her aunty’s estate. That’s why they took us directly to the king, I suspect—Princess Denliyan was not around.’

‘Interesting,’
Uola replied.
‘We wonder what she is up to. With this delicate new alliance between Telby and Reltland, it is surprising she’s not there in the capital.’

‘What should we do to unravel this?’
I asked.

‘Nothing,’
Uola replied.
‘Continue your journey to Tanza and Watercrag learning what you can of the Zeikas’ schemes on your way. If you can find anyone willing to send aid to Jaria you have the trade agreements to arrange it.’

With that he withdrew. Rekala watched me through the waves, sending her love and admiration. I chased her through the tunnels she had made and came back to myself with a jolt.

After I had relayed the conversation to Sarlice, Kestric contacted Lyth. Rekala and I stood guard over our companions. I tried hard not to be drawn into Kestric’s conversation, but the pull of the waves was strong. He conversed with a small white cat named Batamyne, relaying the answers he was getting to Sarlice. It was a much slower communication process than it had been for me, but the meaning came through clearly enough. Lyth now considered the Telbion kingdom its enemy.

Chapter Fifteen—Sting

‘T
he legendary Tanza!’ the cartographer cried, smirking at me.

I gave her a strange look when she said no more.

‘What’s this then? You truly want to go there?’

Sarlice leant over the green counter. ‘Yes. Can you help us find our way?’

The woman sat back. ‘Not just anybody goes into Tanza. You can walk right up to the border, but take one step forward and you encounter a barrier like lightning—even if you got through, you’d plummet to your death miles below. It’s like that all the way around. They call it a land-bite, like a giant sea serpent put its jaws up over the land, chomped down, and dragged it out to sea.’ She laughed harshly. ‘Even with rope and climbing stakes people either don’t get through or they never return… they probably die. The borders of Tanza are cursed.’

Sarlice raised an eyebrow. ‘Cursed?’ She knew about the barrier shield, of course—all Jarians and Lythians did—but it amused her to find out what other people thought of it.

The cartographer nodded and her voice became husky. ‘Most say it’s enchanted. Others say it’s the splittin’ skyearls flying up to eat you!’

‘What about the sea?’ I asked.

The lady shrugged. ‘The ocean there is stormy, treacherous and reef-ridden. Many have died trying to breach the enchantment there too.’

‘There has to be a way in,’ Sarlice said. ‘Sleffion used to live here in Telby City. Isn’t there something else you can tell us?’

The cartographer turned a shrewd eye upon my guide. She clucked her tongue and finally said, ‘Well now, that might cost you a bit extra.’

I offered her five bronze coins, which she looked at for three long breaths. She turned away to shuffle through some maps.

‘I have heard talk there is a secret road that brings you down to the lowlands, but you’ll still have the curse to deal with,’ she said darkly. She played with her hair and turned her head on one side. ‘I could tell you the way, but I don’t know that I should. You’re a fine young couple.’

Sarlice and I exchanged an amused look.

The lady went on, waxing dramatic. ‘I’d hate to see you end up as a skyearl’s iboli.’

Sarlice added a coin to the pile.

The lady sighed and examined the coins through her monocle one by one before giving in. ‘Well, they’re your lives. About four days ride southeast of Ubu there’s a chasm that leads into Tanza. It isn’t marked like that on most maps, but local legend has it there’s an entry at the end of it. You can follow the river to it. That solves your problem with the terrain, but as for the barrier, that’s a matter for you and your gods. Now, are you gonna buy these maps or not?’

The
Three Storeys
tavern was full of people when we got back. Sarlice threw down her packs at the entrance to our room and pushed open the door. Lira looked up with a jump. A plate of food had fallen to the floor spilling red carrots, corn and shredded chicken in a heap. The smell of olive oil, Jesathian spices and garlic was strong. A little further away was a moist piece of bread now covered in floor dust. Lira’s eyes burned at Sarlice.

‘That was expensive,’ she said.

Sarlice set her jaw. ‘It looks it. I’m glad you’re sure enough of your resources to spend it on that. Don’t have enough to buy a replacement horse I suppose… no?’

Lira glared at Sarlice and demanded, ‘What is that supposed to mean?’

Sarlice glanced at me. ‘Nothing. I’m going for a run.’

After she had gone Lira’s eyes filled with tears. I tentatively put my arms around her and helped her get to her feet. She nuzzled into me leading me to embrace her. I couldn’t help feeling protective of her—she was so delicate and vulnerable. I smelled sweet oil in her hair and concluded that her uncle Enreve had sent her some supplies.

‘When are we leaving?’ she whined.

‘Tomorrow?’ I suggested, stroking her back. ‘There are too many Zeikas here for my peace of mind.’
And too many pent-up female emotions
, I thought.

Rekala refrained from sharing the thought with Kestric. She growled softly at the way Lira draped herself over me, but I didn’t mind.

We left Telby City the following afternoon, much to Lira’s relief. She was on my gelding, riding with a confidence I had not seen in the four weeks we’d been together. The horse seemed to share her mood and was jig-jogging restlessly. Rekala and Kestric scouted ahead and I was in wolf form, following Sarlice and Duria and occasionally doubling back to check further behind Lira.

One time when I was passing, my gelding suddenly flew into a gallop and whisked by Sarlice so closely that their stirrups touched. Startled, Duria charged forward after him. I ran behind for as long as I could, the air rushing through my hair and whiskers. I was back at a lope by the time Sarlice brought Duria to a dusty halt. If the horses went on like that for too long they’d be worn out before the day had even begun, but Lira didn’t seem to care. She aimed the gelding for a long, tall bank nearby that jutted up from the plains like a broken bone.

‘Trees! Not up there!’ Sarlice shouted.

I resumed my human form and bent over, still puffing. Lira galloped the horse all the way up the hill and nearly flew off over his neck when he stopped at the top. He quivered with energy and threw his head up.

‘She’s going to ruin that splittin’ horse!’ Sarlice fumed.

‘Lira,’ I called. ‘Walk him back!’

The gelding reared and pivoted. He bolted back down the bank. Lira was a blaze of white against the black of the horse’s body. She reminded me of a falling star, like the ones I used to watch in the night sky when I was young. Her freedom and beauty took my breath away despite the circumstances.

‘No!’ Sarlice shouted.

The horse ran flat tack towards us. The saddle shuddered on his sides, his mane sprayed out in all directions and he gave the final stretch all he had. It seemed like he would crash straight into us, but Lira yanked on the reins. Her legs were squeezed tight around the horse, heels down. She glanced at me as she boldy pulled up inches from Duria.

The mare reared and Sarlice held her seat. ‘Easy girl.’

Duria danced around for a few minutes before Sarlice managed to calm her. The gelding, meanwhile, was trotting on the spot and looked like he was about to take off again at any moment.

‘Get off him!’ Sarlice commanded Lira. ‘Cool him down.’

His sides were foamed and shivery. He shied at every movement and his eyes and nostrils were flared.

‘You shouldn’t have let him do that,’ Sarlice snarled.

‘Oh, why not? It’s what he was born for,’ she retorted angrily. ‘These horses have been cooped up in Telby for two days just like me.’

Lira climbed down from the horse and gave me the reins. It was done so naturally—like I was a servant—that I was reminded of my lowly station compared to hers. It was a wonder she even deigned to ride with the likes of us. We had to cut her a little bit of slack considering her lofty upbringing.

My horse tossed his head when I tried to pat him.

‘He sure was fast,’ I said to Lira. ‘I don’t think I’ve run him like that before.’ I tried to ignore Sarlice’s hiss of anger. By not rebuking the younger woman was I taking sides?

‘You should name him for it,’ Lira suggested. ‘Call him Windrunner or something. I’ve heard that Rada name all their animals, not just their kindred. Is it true?’

‘Aye, most often. I didn’t think I had my bearings on this one yet.’

She gave me a strange look. For a moment I thought I saw disdain, but then I decided it was merely the expression of someone learning to see something from a different point of view.

‘I’ll name him Fleetfoot.’

I caught a glimpse of a heartfelt smile before I led the horse on a brisk walk.

Sarlice seemed aware of the conspiratorial nature of our exchange so she rode off without us. I didn’t want her to go, but being put in the position of being alone with Lira was somehow thrilling. Nothing from my life in Jaria had prepared me for this.

Not long ago I’d been just another hunter-gatherer spending most of my days out in the mountains. Now I had a new Rada-kin, an Anzaii-kin and a new horse. There was a beautiful young woman at my side and an adventure before me—it was possible to forget the pain of my past and the Zeikas for a time.

When we stopped to eat that night, I felt the tension building between Sarlice and Lira. My guide’s lips were taut with anger and her blue eyes seemed even darker than I remembered. Lira held her chin up, with the glow of moonlight upon her face. Sarlice brushed down Duria, set out her gear and went about her ablutions as if we weren’t there.

Lira glanced at Sarlice often, shaking her head and scowling at the older woman’s rudeness.

Looking from one to the other with apprehension I asked, ‘Who’s thirsty? Shall I collect some running water?’

Sarlice shrugged. Lira and I exchanged a tired glance and headed for the river with two water sacks. The foliage wasn’t very thick along this stretch of the river and we found a nice little bank to sit on as we washed our faces and filled up the sacks. The moons cast a ruddy light over the trickling water. Lira sipped from a wooden cup. She offered me a drink but I didn’t feel like it.

‘I’m sorry, Talon,’ she said quietly. ‘I really shouldn’t have given in to Fleetfoot like that.’

I smiled at her. ‘All is well. I’ve done the same thing a few times on other horses.’

Flooded with relief she rested her head on my shoulder.

‘You rode well enough,’ I said.

She looked up at me with hazy eyes. ‘I’m so glad I met you.’

I lowered my face to hers, looked her in the eye and bent to kiss her. Never having done this before my heart was pounding with uncertainty. She giggled and pulled away.

‘What’s wrong?’ I asked, wounded.

She got to her feet, pulling me up. The water sloshed and spilled on us.

‘Come with me,’ she demanded.

Caught up in the moment I followed her across a narrow part of the stream and onto a small island. We ran through the ferns and knee-high grass for some time before finding a little glade of soft new grass. Lira pulled me to her, smiling and breathing hard. She held her palm against my chest, her touch igniting my senses. In the back of my mind I cautioned myself not to let things get out of hand, but surely one kiss wouldn’t do any harm.

‘If you want me, Talon, I must ask you to close out your little friends. It just doesn’t seem right otherwise.’

‘Trust me, I already did that,’ I responded. ‘It’s just me in here, right now.’

To prove my point, I unclasped Tiaro from my ear and slid her into my pocket. I moved closer to Lira and kissed her softly on the lips. She moaned, pressing closer. Feeling like every part of her was ready and willing, passion rose within me. Everything I’d been taught about purity in Jaria seemed secondary to my body’s immediate needs. I took hold of Lira’s groping hands, buying a few moments to think.

‘What’s wrong?’ She echoed my words from earlier.

There was a long silence. Lira looked at me.

‘Talon,’ she tried to entice me back, but I got to my feet.

Another puzzled look.

‘Why?’ she asked. ‘Is it your religion?’

I nodded, having no other way to explain it.

‘It binds you so?’

I grimaced. ‘It’s not quite like that.’

‘Then what is it like Talon? I don’t understand. Loving is good—a natural need of all people. What wrong can there be?’